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The sun sank red and angry below the horizon of Sirius II. Kevin Conrad, Prime Minister of the Terran Federal Commonwealth, watched from the observation deck of the Starbase Babylon. As the red sun disappeared from view two large starships were revealed. The Dreadnaught Hvaar’kath of the Kiltahni Empire, and the Cruiser Tsuul of the Schall Confederacy. Conrad frowned, the leaders of the Empire and the Confederacy would want to make an entrance, it was infuriating, but all part of diplomacy.

“They are late.” Growled the elderly man seated at the conference table. Emperor Jared Malor, third of his name, Lord of the Thul Imperium, slouched irritably. He swallowed the rest of the brandy in his glass and poured himself another large one. “Are we going to be briefed or not? I have not traveled halfway across the galaxy to wait on those savages.”

Conrad turned to the dark-haired man hovering over the Emperor’s shoulder. “Ector, if you would?”

Ector Pallan leaned in and whispered a few words into the Emperor’s ear that seemed to mollify the old man for a few moments. Conrad joined them at the table along with the enigmatic Kumaal envoy. Ehsana-Ei’nu Na’tu’Pau stared blindly into the middle distance, two Kai’Vau monks stood rigidly behind her.

“Agitated, Prime Minister?” Ehsana asked as Conrad took a seat.

“Weak Commonwealth blood.” Emperor Jared snorted.

Conrad ignored him and turned to Ehsana. “I am fine, Master Ehsana, thank you for your concern.”

“Patience, Prime Minister, I assure you, both the Kiltahni and the Schall are as agitated as you are by recent events.” A knowing glint in her sightless eyes betrayed that her words were more than a mere conciliatory gesture.

“You mean they know?” Jared exploded. “Then why the hell are we here?”

Conrad rubbed the bridge of his nose and in a tired voice answered. “Courtesy, your Grace, we don’t want to be blamed for this and neither do you.”

“Let them come.” Ector scoffed. “The Imperium is a hundred times as powerful as it was during the Kiltahni War.”

“Then you shall receive a hundred times more pain than we once gave you.” A growling roar echoed across the council chamber. Glowing yellow eyes shone from the dimly lit entryway. Gharak Khorro Na’Tharr, Chancellor of the Kiltahni Empire, strode into the council chamber flanked by two Na’Chokk Sashram.
Conrad stood immediately. “Chancellor Gharak, greetings. I offer you meat and water and the hospitality of our home.”

Gharak’s eyes held Ector’s, then flicked to Conrad. “At least you have made some effort to learn our ways. I accept your gift and offer my claws to your aid while I sup at your table.”

“While Kiltahni hospitality rituals are thrilling, I believe we have some business?” A sibilant voice said from behind Gharak. Tanthiss’aret Suaro Ahsaan emerged from the shadows. “No offense, my lord.”

The massive Kiltahni growled in annoyance but did not reply, seating himself at the table between Ehsana and Suaro’s seat. He tore into the bloody chunk of meat laid out on the table in front of him as Suaro slipped into his seat.

“Gentlemen, and ladies.” Conrad said, taking his seat between Ehsana and the Emperor. “Thank you for agreeing to this meeting to discuss the recent events on Odessa.”

“Incompetent damn Marines.” Emperor Jared groused.

“What exactly did happen, Prime Minister?” Ehsana asked. “My people were largely removed from the fighting.”

“I will let Colonel Xarril, commander of the Colonial Marines on Odessa, continue this briefing.” Conrad said, gesturing to the holoprojector and the older man standing next to it.

“Thank you Prime Minister.” David Xarril straightened his dress uniform and reached down to activate the holoprojector. The seal of the TFC hovered briefly in the air soon replaced by a smoking hulk setting down just outside the walls of the Marine compound. “Last cycle we encountered a distress signal from coreward space. We cleared five ships to set down, but we were deceived, soon after touchdown…well, see for yourselves.”

A variety of humanoids their faces painted in garish warpaint poured from the ships, shrugging off the blasters of the marines. One marine was overwhelmed and torn to pieces by a gang of the humanoids. Moments later the scene devolved into a bloodbath.

“They called themselves Forsaken. Whatever they once were they are no longer of any race we know. They consumed their dead and the bodies of their victims and seemed to grow strength from it. Whether they were resistant to our weapons or simply no longer cared about pain we’re still not sure. We finally managed to engage and destroy their ships but I lost ten men and nearly forty colonists were killed.” Xarril said darkly. “We examined the bodies and their ships. A majority of Forsaken were Commonwealth or Imperium humans who had gone into the unknown regions to explore. Their ships were noted as lost in space over the last six cycles.”

“I don’t see what this has to do with us.” Emperor Jared said irritably. “My dragoons fought off the invaders.”

“Losing fifty men and five of your…advanced troopers, in the process.” Colonel Xarril retorted. “From our intelligence report, all of you suffered losses at you Embassies. Fifteen Warriors and five Sashram from the Kiltahni, three kibuur’ai and seven of their associates from the Schall, and so on.”

“So, we received an isolated attack from some space-mad reprobates.” Suaro said nonchalantly. “They were repulsed and now that we know what to look for we will prevail again.”

“We don’t believe they came by this state by normal means.” Conrad said, interrupting. “Master Ehsana, could you enlighten us?”

Ehsana rose and was guided by her attendants. “Thank you dearie, please show them what we found.”

The holoprojector switched to a view of a human torso covered in half-healed scars, brands and tattoos. The camera zoomed in on the human’s left arm, a tattoo stood out among the others. “That, is an Anatunai sigil.” Ehsana said, pointing with her walking stick at the tattoo. “The Anatunai are long gone from this plane of existence, but their technology still remains in places. The Elders of the Kumaal believe that someone has found a cache of this technology and is using it to nefarious purpose. This technology can cause Psionic mutations that mimic Biotechnology and the more horrific aspects of Psionics.”

“None of us is equipped to find and engage this enemy on our own.” Kevin Conrad said, standing. “I propose that we use the Odessa Compromise to our advantage. The colonists of Odessa are used to working together and managed to repulse the attack of one of these ships. I propose that they be sent on a mission of exploration and investigation. Find the Forsaken, discover who is making them and to what purpose and report to us so that we may deal with them.”

“A difficult and dangerous proposition.” Gharak mused. “Will your citizens accept such a mission?”

“Provided they are given the correct incentives, I believe they will.” Conrad said.

“Meaning if they are bribed enough.” Suaro said with a grin.

Gharak stood, considering this with his head bowed. “The prophets of Hvaar on Kol’naresh have foretold the beginning of the fifth Great Crusade. That the warriors of Kolnavaar will once again face a worthy enemy amongst the stars. My people will aide in this endeavor, but they will abide by their own code, not some Commonwealth set of rules and laws.”

Conrad nodded, he had expected no less.

“If the Kiltahni are to aide then I suppose my people must as well, or else suffer the wrath of the Empire’s finest.” Suaro said with a sigh. “But we are to be cut into any deal or incentive you provide.”

“Of course.” Conrad agreed.

“The Kumaal, as a rule, do not engage in warfare save to safeguard our home worlds.” Master Ehsana said, gliding back to her seat, for a moment abandoning the pretense of her guards. “But due to the Psionic nature of these aberrations, I will authorize any of my people who wish to aid in the endeavor, to do so.”

“As always, we are indebted to the Kumaal.” Conrad said with a nod. Then he turned to the scowling old man in the ornate dragoon uniform. “Your Grace?”

The Emperor paused before taking another long drink from his brandy glass. “The Imperium will lend its assistance, but we have other concerns on Odessa as well.”

Conrad sighed, “Such as?”

“The continued presence of the criminal Synthetic OVIS 1009-A on your planet. Last cycle an archaeological dig was disrupted by thugs of OVIS’, we cannot allow such things to continue. I want this situation investigated and dealt with.” The Emperor said, his voice clear and angry.

“Your Grace, we have laws governing…” Conrad began.

“To hell with your laws!” Jared erupted. “I will have the deaths of my people avenged with the head of this…thing!”

Conrad considered for a moment, then nodded. “We will do all we can, Emperor.”

The Emperor fixed Conrad with a steely glare. “We shall see Prime Minister. For now, you have the assistance of the Thul Imperium.”

“The ambassadors on Odessa will brief your people next cycle.” Conrad said, trying not to let his relief show. “Until then, thank you for your cooperation.”

The other leaders filed out until only Conrad and Xarril were left. Conrad stared out the viewport and poured himself a brandy from the decanter the Emperor had been using. The Prime Minister’s eyes flicked over to Xarril who was standing uncomfortably by the holoprojector. “Something on your mind, Colonel?”

“Permission to speak, sir?” Xarril asked.

“Of course.” Conrad sighed.

“Is it really in our best interest to place this mission in the hands of civilians?” Xarril asked. “We won’t have any control or discipline. Also, I’ve worked with the citizenry of Odessa, they aren’t the most civic-minded individuals in the galaxy.”

“What do you suggest then Colonel?” Conrad asked. “We have Marines stretched thin across the galaxy: Quarantines on Thebes and Olympus, dealing with the insurgency on Thebes, patrolling the trade zone near Hephaestus, keeping the Imperium and the Kiltahni in check, not to mention your duties in the Odessa system. We don’t have the men to track this threat down. I wish there was another way, but this way there is at least a chance of someone finding out something.”

“Yes sir.” Xarril said.

“If that’s all, colonel, I’d like to be alone for a while.” Conrad said, wearily. Xarril nodded, saluted and began to leave the room. “Colonel?”

Xarril turned. “Yes sir?”

“Make sure whoever you hire for this thing is reliable.”

“Don’t worry, sir, I think I know just who to send.”

The CGN logo fades, replaced by the toothy grin of Chet Haskins, Anchorman:

Chet:Good Morning, Commonwealth. This is CGN Headlines.

OVIS 1009-A Sighted!

Chet turns to the camera with an overly serious demeanor.

Chet: The Rebel Synthetic known by the designation OVIS 1009-A was sighted recently at the new Commonwealth Colony of Odessa. Officials both from the Commonwealth and the Imperium are dumbfounded by this development as the Synthetic Rebels have been operating exclusively Rimward of established Imperium borders. With us today are Colonel David Xarril of the Commonwealth Colonial Marines, stationed on Odessa, and Lord Urien Galek of the Imperium Adjudicators. Gentlemen, welcome.

Xarril: Pleasure to be here, Chet.
Galek: Thank you.

Chet: Gentlemen, let's start with the obvious question. How could it be possible for perhaps the most well known criminal in the Imperium to make his way across not one but two Stellar Nations and land on one of the most heavily patrolled Colonies in the galaxy?

Galek: Let's not be too generous, the Commonwealth security on Odessa is laughable at best. Two Imperium freighters were hijacked last cycle and our citizens are continually harrassed on the planet surface.
Xarril: I won't comment on the state of CCM security, but the landing of OVIS seems to be a plan concieved for several cycles if not years. Originally we had seen some droid activity linked to the rebellion, scouting mines and archaeological sites. Then about three or four cycles ago a major strike force landed on Odessa. It is believed that during that time the planet was seeded with BioTech and CyberTech encoders. All they needed was proximity to a Gen-Tank and OVIS' positronic matrix to bring him to being.
Galek: And how is it possible that these items could be brought together? I recieved word from confidential sources that the droid that bore OVIS' positronic matrix was part of an elaborate scheme by the Commonwealth Intelligence Network to infiltrate the Synthetics infrastructure. For what purpose, no one knows, suffice to say it gives one pause when considering it was easily turned into a rebel turncoat who attacked those who were attempting to aid it.

Chet: Colonel, is this true?

Xarril: Chet, you know that's classified. We do have the unit that bore OVIS' matrix in custody and it is currently being studied. If ever anything is made public, I'm sure you'll be the first to know.

Chet:Well thank you gentlemen. I'm sure we'll speak with you again on this issue.

More Imperium Hijackings

A graphic of an Imperium freighter being attacked by pirate fighters hangs in the corner of the screen as Chet turns to us.

Chet: Again pirate groups operating out of the Odessa system have struck at Amorium shipments bound for the refineries of Troy. Imperium officials are livid, stating in unequivocal terms that if the Commonwealth can not protect its citizens then they will do it themselves. Commonwealth diplomats are currently on Zeus to try and negotiate a settlement to this problem without having to ratify a new Charter to the Odessa Colony.

Loan Deliquency At All Time High

A pictograph of the Expanse Credit Unit rotates in one corner while the ubiquitous GalBank logo floats in the other. Chet turns to the camera with another toothy grin.

Chet: Officials from GalBank say that the E-Z Qualify loan program, begun in good faith to bolster the Coreward expansion of all Stellar Nations has run into a rash of delinquencies and defaults. Credit agents have been dispatched to Colonies around the Expanse to collect on loans or begin legal proceedings for those who default.

Travel Advisories to Outer Colonies

The Commonwealth Transit Authority logo appears in the corner of the screen.

Chet:The CTA has issued warnings to all travelers to systems off established Jumproutes, and those with plans to travel to the Thebes or Olympus colonies. The Thebes and Olympus Colonies have been officially quarantined due to the explosion of the Thetis Flu. Commonwealth Medical Corps officials will not comment on the death toll, but sources say it has climbed into the thousands. Word has it that the disease has also spread to the Imperium Colonies of Demeter and Hera. The CMC fears that some sort of animal or plant life may be spreading the disease and that agrarian or underdeveloped worlds are at the greatest risk. The CTA also warns that attacks on starships off the normal jumplanes have increased dramatically in the past several cycles and that it is apparently not normal piracy or mis-jumps. The CTA advises extreme caution when traveling outside of established, patrolled jumplanes.